What does the circled 1 sign mean on Google maps next to "Tolls"?
Example:
I don't think that's the number of tolls given the distance.
asked Nov 27, 2020 at 22:45
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27I've always assumed that it was a pictographic icon for tolls (representing coins or tokens), and that it had no particular meaning beyond that.– Michael SeifertCommented Nov 27, 2020 at 22:55
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2As @MichaelSeifert it is the symbol indicating there is tolls on your route. Sometimes the symbol shows up to indicate tolls without also using the word "Tolls"– MidavaloCommented Nov 27, 2020 at 23:17
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2Have a fast and safe drive for such a long road!– usr-local-ΕΨΗΕΛΩΝCommented Nov 27, 2020 at 23:17
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7Money. It used to come as round things with numbers on them...– user_1818839Commented Nov 29, 2020 at 15:36
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1 Answer
As correctly stated by @MichaelSeifert, it is a graphic representation of coins.
A circle alone wouldn't be easily interpreted as currency. I speculate that using the dollar symbol would be biasing in an international context, so using a digit is the most intuitive way to display that the circle has value.
Historically, on US tollways you often used a single coin to pay the toll. Modern tollways are either more expensive or simply electronic (e.g., in Israel you don't have a single toll booth, and I found the same "1 coin" icon as I expected on my way from Tel Aviv to Haifa).
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5Interestingly that in Russia (and probably in some exUSSR countries) an auxiliary road sign for paid parking shows 3 circles with numbers 10, 15 and 20 in them. There were actual 10-, 15- and 20-copeck coins in USSR (minted until 1991 and remained legal tender until 1998, although practically unused after 1992 due to extremely low value after hyperinflation). Commented Nov 28, 2020 at 8:21
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This is probably correct. It's similar to the 'road toll' sign on Swedish roads (the coin bit at least): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_congestion_tax#/media/… Commented Nov 30, 2020 at 20:32
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They could display relevant country's currency on that icon, though. Yandex does that on its Maps.– alamarCommented Nov 16, 2023 at 19:37
